Packaging machine and method



July 12, 1955 A. M. KELLER PACKAGING MACHINE AND METHOD 12 Sheets-Sheet1 Filed March 18, 1948 July 12, 1955 A. M. KELLER PACKAGING MACHINE ANDMETHOD l2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 18, 1948 INVENTOR. Jan/we JV/Tifs/.1. 15/3 HTTURA/EK? B; fw

July 12, 1955 A. M. KELLER PACKAGING MACHINE AND METHOD l2 Sheets-Sheet4 Filed March 18, 1948 1-1,- 15-11.!!! llil: n "K R m W M Q & i F 2 J? Mr NWHHM k m w w m an 5 r IIHIIHIHI" July 12, 1955 A. M. KELLER PACKAGINGMACHINE AND METHOD l2 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed March 18, 1948 JNVENTOR .771Tl/l/li .flf 1%51 LE/f A TTORNE rs JHI IW 12 Sheets-Sheet 6 lim- July12, 1955 A. M. KELLER PACKAGING MACHINE AND METHOD Filed March 18, 1948July 12, 1955 A. M. KELLER PACKAGING MACHINE AND METHOD l2 Sheets-Sheet7 Filed March 18, 1948 ,47'TURNEY5 July 12, 1955 A. M. KELLER PACKAGINGMACHINE AND METHOD 12 Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed March 18, 1948 zzvmvrom 07/77/01? J11. JfELLE BY IITTURNEYS July 12, 1955 A. M. KELLER PACKAGINGMACHINE AND METHOD 12 Sheets-Sheet 9 Filed March 18, 1948 INVENTOR. BY.27 5 n/u/g a. ifs/.11

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PACKAGING MACHINE AND METHOD Filed March 18. 1948 12 Sheets-Sheet 10 INV EN TOR.

A. M. KELLER 2,712,717

12 Sheets-Sheet ll H w lvlll pllllfmwlllnfi ll :57: Ill! lilllF ll IrmJuly 12, 1955 PACKAGING MACHINE AND METHOD Filed March 18, 1948 PatentedJuly 22,

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2,712,717 PACKAGlNG MACHINE AND mirror) Arthur ivl. Keller, Livingston,N. 5., assignor to Mason- Keller Corporation, a corporation of NewJersey Application Pflarch 18, 1948, Serial No. 15,695 8 Qlaims. (Cl.53-105) This invention relates to a more particularly to a packaginmachine which forms, fills, seals and slits a novel package, and to anovel method of pre-forming the material to constitute such package,fill and seal the same, and slit the material from which the package isformed.

In previous packaging machinery making pockets cou sisting of webs offoil, paper, etc., sealed marginally, with an unsealed center portionwhich contained the powder or other mechandise, the depth dimensionresulted as a function of the packaged material itself. This resulted inwrinkled misshapen webs to the detriment the contained material, as suchdistortion of the container material caused cracking, pinholes and anunattractive package.

in addition, there was a wastage of material due to 1 need of utilLingheavier gauge material to withstand wrinkling in making, filling andsealing the container.

Another difiiculty encountered in the previous packaging machines wasthe lack of uniformity of the disposition of the mechandise within thepocket. Some of the material, especially if in powdered form, wouldbecome trapped in the marginal seals which resulted in a weak or leakypackage. esides the hazards stated above, there was variation in thmeasured amount of the mechaudise and also damage to the mechandiseitself.

it is, therefore, the main object of this invention to provide apackaging machine which will preform a commodity-holding pocket and seala cover marginally onto said pocket.

Another object of this invention is to provide a packaging machine whichwill permit a saving in the pack aging material because of the use oflighter gauges of films.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a packaging machinewhich will produce a more durable package due to the absence ofwrinkles, cracks and pinholes.

Another object of this invention is to provide a packaging machine whichautomatically confines the merchandise to the recessed pocket area ofthe package and strengthens the formed web material in the formingprocess.

Another object of this invention is to provide a packmachine whichincreases the production rate many times over that achieved by equipmentheretofore used.

An equally paramount object of this invention, as compa" .l to the broadobject relating to the apparatus, is to provide a method of pro-formingweb materials to form a smooth pocket or pockets fill them with acommodity, whether in powder or pill form, so that no further drawing orwrinkling of the webs is required to close the package. This main objectis attained by means of fluid pressure applied to a rigid platecontaining apertures, whereby a clamping force for sealing the packagemarginally is obtained as a result of the fluid pressure. The aperturein the plate is of such area that the web material is forced into aforming die by flow of fluid, the flow of such fluid packaging machineand tight engagement with the packaged commodity being determined as atime and pressure function in conjunction with said aperture.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a method ofmeasuring and conditioning powdered materials for the purpose of fillingpackages therewith, wherein a slotted drum member discharges the powderinto measuring cups with a constant pressure irrespective of thecondition or amount of the powder contained in a hopper in which saiddrum operates.

Another object of this invention is to provide a means of fillingpowdered materials into packages by means of a slotted rotating drumused in conjunction with measuring cups, whereby the relative positionof the drum with respect to the measuring cups may be varied infinitelyto effect fine control of the measured quantity, irrespective of day today variations in the density, granulation or moisture content of suchpowders.

Another object of this invention is to provide a method of sealing toone another such webs of material as may be used to form packages, whrein the pressure required to seal is derived from a fluid pressure anda self-levelling construction which insures intimate contact of allsurfaces to be sealed and with such pressures adjustable over a verywide range.

Another object of this invention is to provide methods for forming,filling and sealing improved packages when used in combination with eachother.

In its broadest aspects, my invention therefore consists in theprovision of a method and apparatus for forming, from any suitable webmaterial, a smooth package for a commodity, such as a powder, by meansof fluid pressure, in a suitably shaped die disposed below the webmaterial, the fluid pressure being impressed through apertures in ablanket which is simultaneously forced into marginal edges of the die,to form a seal securely clamping the film or web at such marginal edges.in other words, the margins of the web or foil are held down during theapplication of the fluid pressure.

As will be seen from the above brief rsum the invention discloses anautomatic packaging machine which fundamentally forms a commodityholding pocket of one web material While another web acts as a cover andis sealed marginally to the first web. I

By shaping the pockets to contain the packaged commodities I achieveseveral desirable purposes, as:

(l) The commodity is confined to its proper position with relation tothe margins during the processes of locating and joining the cover web.This insures against damage to the commodity; variation of the measuredor weighed amount of commodity; and, possible inclusion of commodity inmarginal seals (particularly when commodity is a powder or granulation)which would result in weak or leaky packages.

2) A more rigid package aifording better mechanical protection to thepackaged commodity because of en hanced strength of formed web materialby the shaping or forming process.

3) Reduction of possibility of cracking of web materials during handlingand storage as sharp creasing is eliminated and thus stressconcentrations are avoided.

(4) High degree of moisture proofness for reasons brought out in (3)above.

(5) Good retention of flavor or other essentials in for reason broughtout in (3) above.

(6) Shape and contour of poc :et may be varied to best suit shape andnature of commodity.

(7) Shape and contour of pocket may be valuable as plannedidentification of contents when other identification means areundesirable or may become illegible.

(8) Trade names, trademarks or even text matter can be embossed inpocket when drawn.

(9) By use of pockets drawn into two webs and opposed, capacity ofpockets can be increased.

(10) by use of three webs, two with shaped pockets and nesting and thirdweb as cover, two commodities can be included in same package whilesealed from one another.

As variations of the fundamental form there are the following:

(1) Two webs, one web shaped, other web flat.

(2) Two webs, both shaped and pockets opposing.

(3) Two webs, both shaped and pockets matching or nesting.

(4) Three webs, one shaped and two fiat.

(5) Three webs, two webs shaped and pockets opposing, third web flat andinterposed.

(6) Three webs, two webs shaped and pockets nesting, third web flatacross pockets.

(7) Three webs, all shaped, pockets of two webs matching or nesting andpocketsof third web opposing.

(8) Three webs, one with commodity pockets, another web as a cover forthe first, and a third web sealed marginally to the first two andprovided with a perforated flap.

A specific embodiment of an apparatus embodying the principles of myinvention and the carrying out of my novel method is illustrated, by wayof example, rather than by way of limitation, in the accompanyingdrawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the entire packaging machine.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the packaging machine shown in Fig.1, partially in phantom.

Fig. 3 is a side sectional view of the forming section of the packagingmachine showing the forming die in the closed position. 7

Fig. 4 is the same section as Fig. 3 showing the forming die in the openposition.

Fig. 5 is a rear elevational viewof the forming section oftFig. 3 takenalong the lines 5-5, in 'Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a side sectional view of the feeding hopper.

Fig. 7 is a detailed side elevational sectional view of the hopper ofFig. 6 taken along the lines 7-7, in Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is another side sectional view of the feeding hopper showing theslide valve partially open. 7

Fig. 9 is the same view of the feeding hopper of Fig. 8 showingthe slidevalve wide open.

Fig. 10 is a plan view of the feeding hopper of Fig. 9 partially inphantom to show the relationship between the feeding slots of thefeeding drum and the measuring cups at the bottom of the hopper.

Fig. 11 is a side sectional view of the sealing section of the packagingmachine showing the sealing section in the closed position.

Fig. 12 is the same view as Fig. ll showing the sealing section in theopen position.

Fig. 13 is a side elevational view of the driving, slitting and cut-offstations of the packaging machine, partially in section.

Fig. 14 is a section Fig. 15 is a transverse sectional view of thesealing station of Fig. ll, taken along the lines 15-15 in Fig. 11.

Fig. 16 is a plan view of the slitting cutters.

Fig. 17 is a front elevational view of the slitting cutters of Fig. l6taken along the lines 17--17.

Fig. 18 is a front elevational view of the cut-off station partially insection.

Fig. 19 is a wiring diagram of the 3-phase squirrel cage drive motor.

Fig. 20 is a schematic diagram of the electrical circuit used toautomatically and manually control the operation of the packagingmachine.

Referring now to the drawings of the packaging machine and in particularto the packaging machine shown in Figs. 1 and 2, said packaging machinecomprises a frame 1 supported: by a plurality of legs 2 which rest onthe floor or other support. A' standard roll 3 of film material 4, suchas, for example, aluminum foil with 3.

along the lines 14-14 of Fig. 13.

thermo-plastic or similar outside coating, is mounted on a shaft 5supported on frame 1. A pair of lever arms 7 are pivoted at one end inbearings 9 attached to the side of frame 1. Between the other ends oflever 7 a roller 8 is supported, under which the Web material passes.Some of the weight of the lever arms 7 and roller 8 is counterbalancedby torsion springs 16 and a tension spring 6 attached to one of the arms7 and connected to a brake strap 6' creates a frictional resistancevarying with the position of the idler roller 8 as the brake strap 6' isin contact with its brake drum. The web material 4 now passes over anidler roller 11 and is then fed to the forming station 12 which will bedescribed in more detail later.

After the web material 4 has been formed into suitably shaped pockets13,'it passes to the filling hopper 14 which will be described in moredetail hereinafter.

From there the formed pockets 13 pass to the sealing station 15 at thesame time that a cover web 16 and a third web 17, carrying printedmatter, are fed to the correct position over the formed pockets 13. Thecover web 16 and printed web 17 are fed from rolls 18 and 19,respectively, to pass together under tension roller 20, over idlerroller 21, and past an incandescent lamp 22 and a photo tube 208 whosefunctions will be described hereinafter and then under rollers 2143.Each of the supply rolls 13 and 19 is equipped with a brake drum 18 and19, respectively, over which brake straps pass and are anchored. Thebrake drums 18 with that with which strap 6 is in contact.

After the filling of the formed pockets 13 at the filling hopper 14 andwhen webs 16 and 17 have been scaled thereto, the then completedpackages 13 are separated from each other by means of the slitting andcutoff stations 25 and 26, respectively, so that the individualpackages13 slide down an incline 27 to fall upon an endless belt 198, which isoperated over roller 28 and are then carried away in the direction ofthe arrow.

The entire mechanism is operated by a drive motor 29 whose power istransmitted to the various stations by means of sprockets, chain andbelt drives which will be described in more detail hereinafter.

Referring now to the drawings of the pocket formng station 12 shown inFigs. 3, 4 and 5, said pocket forming station 12 comprises a forming diecomposed of a stationary upper part31 attached to a supporting frame 32which is adjustably movable along the length of the 1" beam frame 1. Atake-up threaded nut and sleeve 33 is used to hold the set position ofthe frame 32 on the I beam frame 1.

Disposed along the center of the upper die 31 are a number of conduits34 for carrying compressed air or other suitable fluids under pressureagainst a metal plate 35 which has a number of small apertures 36therein. Beneath this plate 35 is an elastic gasket or blanket 37 havinga number of much larger apertures 38 therein. The web material 4 passesbeneath this gasket or blanket. Said stationary upper die 31 is fastenedto stationary bracket arms 39 by means of bolts 40, and the other end ofbracket arms 39 contains bearings in which rod 41 is held.

Situated beneath the web material 4 is the movable lower forming die 43consisting of a number of dies 44 locked in position by set screws 45. Aplurality of escape openings 46 are provided in the dies 44 to permitthe escape of the air trapped in the forming chamber 47 of the dies 44.The remainder of the movable forming die 43 is attached by means ofbolts '48 to movable lever arms 49 which are fixed to the rod 41.Collars 5G, fixed to shaft 41, prevent axial movement of the shaft 41.

Said movable forming die 43 is attached at each end to supportingplatforms 51 to which are attached cam rollers 52. Beneath the said camrollers 52 are situated rotating cams 53 which are mounted on rotatableshaft 54. Rotating earns 53 are located on both sides and 19' areidentical of the machine beneath each cam roller '2. Shaft mounted uponanti-friction bearings 54.

At one end of the rotatab. 2 shaft 54 is located a cam 55' which isadapted to activate a roler 56 attached to a lever arm 57 which in turnoperates an air valve 58 for releasing compressed air or other fluidinto the vertical feeder h ose 25 and thus into the forming die 12through nipples 34. Said forming dies 12 may be any suitable memberaligned in parallel arrangement as shown in Fig. 5. The compressed airfeeding hose 34 are arranged 2 the line of the parallel pocket formingdies feferring now to the filling hopper shown Figs. e, 7, 8, 9, andit), said filling hopper 1 comprises sup- Sorting 59 to which isattached the hopper reservoir 5t by means of bolts 61. Said reservoir 60may have any suitable shape but preferably V shaped as shown. At thebottom of the reservoir 6i) are measur g cnps oz arranged in cone shapewith the narrovope 'n" leading from the reservoir to and the wideropening racing oowriw. d direct its contents into the formed pockets 13as they pass beneath it.

Set within the reservoir 59 is a rotatable feeding drum 63 having aplurality of horizontal parallel slits 64 running the length of saiddrum 63. These slits 64 are s1tu; ated in approximately half the surfaceof the drum 6.) 'while the other half of the surface is closed. Saiddrum s3 is fixed to and rotates with a shaft 55 to which is alsoattached a cam es. A plurality of swinging levers 66, 67, and 67respectively, are rotatably suspended from the frame 59 by means of apivot shaft 58 which oscillates in bearing locks 69. Connecting link 791s pivotally attached at one end to the lower end of lever 67 at 72,while the other end of said shaft 7;) is pivotally attached to the lowerend of lever 67' at 74. Mounted on the connecting link 70 is a camroller which 18 so positioned that cam 66 will cause a swinging movementof the entire linkage when shaft 65 turns. Attached to an an' le iron 76is a clamp 77 having a horizontal aperture therethrough. A rod 73 passesthrough and is clamped in said aperture in said clamp '77. A fiat member81, having two vertical arms 79 and 8%, which slide on rod 73, supportsa slide valve 52 attached at one end 83. The top end of arm 79 ispivotally attached to one end of a drive link 4 while the other end ofdrive link 84 is pivotally attached to the lower forked end 85 of lever66.

Adjustability of the drum 65 to proximity with the measuring cups 62 issecured by mounting the shaft 65 in bearing 65' at each end of suchshaft by means of which bearin s, the drum may be lowered. Slidingplates 65 on each side of the hopper, in close contact with the sides ofthe hopper, effect the side sealing of the hopper.

It will be noted that my novel apparatus, in the provision of therotating drum within the hopper constituting the source of supply of thecommodity to be packaged, automatically breaks up any lumps in thepowder. The provision of the drum also eliminates the conventional heavypowder pressure when a filling hopper is full or nearly full. Also,ample space is provided in the drum of my apparatus for displaced airwhen the measuring cups are filled.

A pocket operated limit switch 85 is shown with its roller 36 betweentwoadjacent pockets 13. Said roller 86 is connected to the contact arm87 of the switch 85' whose function will be described hereinafter inconnection with the wiring diagram shown in Fig. 20. Said switch S5 isattached to a supporting bracket 38 which is attached to frame 1.

A tension spring 89 interconencts the frame 59 and lever 67 andmaintains roller 75 against cam 66.

Attached to rotatable shaft 99 are cam 91, a large sprocket wheel 92, asmall sprocket wheel 93 and double sprock t wheels 9 and 95. Saidrotatable rod 95 is supported in bearings 96 and 97' by supports 96 and97 13? which are, in turn, attached to the bottom of cross frame 98.

An adjustable idler sprocket 99 controls the tension of the chain 189which interconnects sprocket wheel 93 and sprocket wheel 161 whichrotates shaft 65 of the feeding drum 63. Said sprocket 99 is adjustablealong the supporting I beam 1 by means of a bracket 102. Limit switchcam 91 is situated beneath a cam operated switch 1173 which is operatedby the vertical movement of the roller 1% and its associated lever arm105.

A cross fixed rod 186 is attached to opposing I beams Attached to saidrod 196 are a plurality of tracks 107 support said pockets 13 withoutcompressing the bottom of said pockets 13.

The sealing station 15 shown in Figs. 11 and 12 of the drawingscomprises the supporting beam 1 to which i" attached a supporting frame1%. Aifixed to said frame 1% is the upper stationary half 1439 of thesealing station 15 which has openings through which a number of airpipes 34 extend. A number of plates 110 are sandwiched between gaskets111 and 112, which are firmly clamped to the block 113 of the upper half109 of the sealing station 15, thus creating an air space 11 which iswalled by the downward protruding lips 115 of the block 113.

Attached to the frame 168 are the fixed brackets 116 which containbearings in which shaft 117 is supported.

lower half 115 of the sealing station 15 is movable is attached by meansof brackets 119 to the transverse rod 117. A heating block 121, to whichis attached a grid-like die 122, is insulated by means of a gasket 123from the lower half 118 of the sealing station 15. Incorporated in theheating block 121 are ling elements 12 thermometers 125 and thermostats126 as shown in the transverse section of the sealirg station 15 in Fig.15 of the drawings.

Supported on supporting platforms 127 are paired 311 rollers 128situated directly over rotating cams 129 which are airixed to rotatingshaft 139. Another earn 131 is also affixed to said shaft to actuate thecompressed air valve plunger 132 by moving the roller 133 and itsassociated lever 134.

13 shows the combined web material driving station, control unit,slitting and cut-olf stations.

The driving station 135 comprises a sprocket wheel 36 which is operatedby chain drive 137. Said sprocket wheel 13% continuously drives axle 138to which it is .ttached. Spaced along the axle 133 are a plurality ofrive wheels 139 having rubber tires 143 thereon. An L bracket 141 isattached to the I beams 1 and support the drive station 135.

Beneath each drive wheel 139 is located an idler wheel lei which rotatesabout an axle 143 which is supported by bifurcated arms 14%. Saidbifurcated arms 144 are attached to a transverse shaft 152 by means of aclamping sore" 14d. arm 14a is equipped with an adjusti screw 1- -37 andlock nut iti. Said adjusting screw 47 bears against a cross-member 145which is in turn attached to two vertical members 148, each equippedwith a bearing and capable of oscillating on shaft 152. A lever 15% ispivotally attached to shaft 152 at its upper end and is linked to asolenoid 159 by a link 157 at its lower end and is located axially onshaft 152 by set collars i51. A spring housing 153 is embodied in leverand contains a plunger and a spring 154. Shaft 1 52 passes throughbearings in L-shaped brackets 141 and is rec to oscillate therein. Thelonger arm of the rocker arm 50 is pulled back by a spring 155 attachedbetween said rocker arm 15-i and the frame 1.

The solenoid 159 is affixed to part of the frame 169 by means of abracket 161.

Referring now to the slitting station 25 and cut-off station. 2a ofFigs. 13, 16, 17 and 18 said slitting station comprises a pair ofrotatable shafts 162 and 163 which are supported by fixed transverserods 164, 165, and opposing cross brackets 166 and 167. Spaced alongsaid rotatable shaft 162 the distance of one pocket 13 are disc knives168, while along shaft 163 are corresponding cutters 169 which areshaped to avoid the pouch of the pocket 13 while compressing the websbetween pockets 13 against the edges of the disc knives 168.

Shaft 163 is rotated by an attached sprocket wheel. 179 which is drivenby a chain 171 and sprocket wheel A gear 173 attached to the other endof rotating shaft 163 transmits its rotary motion to gear 174 whichrotates the shaft 162 carrying the disc knife 168. Gear 173 also rotatesgear 175 which is on the same axle as sprocket wheel 176, which in turndrives the chain 137 and sprocket wheel 136 of the drive station 135.

Shaft 177 and the paired mitre gears 178 and 179 are rotated by chain206' through a sprocket shown in Fig.

2 and thus power is transmitted by. these mitre gears v 178 and 179 topaired shafts 180 and 181 which rotate cams 182 and 183, respectively,in the directions indicated by the arrows. Said cams 182 and 183 contactrollers 184 and 185 respectively, which lift vertical a knife 188 andits associated snubber bar 189 are bolted to said shafts 186 and 187, sothat vertical movement of said shafts 186 and 187 will raise or lowersaid knife 188 and its snubber bar 189, which has coiled springs 190 tomaintain the pressure of the snubber head against the material tobe cutand backed by stationary knife 196A. Leaf springs 191 hold said snubberbar 189 close to the cut-off knife 18%. Some of the weight of knife 188and associated parts is relieved by spring 192 which is. compressedbetween bearing housings 193 and collars 194 at the ends of shafts 186and 187. The upper part of the shafts 186, 137 and spring 192 areenclosed in a housing 195. Said knife 188. and snubber bar 189 operatebetween horizontal channel bars 196 and 197. A curved inclined plane 27deposits the cut off packages onto a moving belt 193 which is operatedby shaft 180, sprockets 199, 206, shaft 281 and roller 28.

'Power of motor 29 is transmitted to pulley 202 by belt 203, and powerfrom pulley 202 is. transmitted to sprocket wheel 92 by chain drive 234, as shown in Fig.

2. This rotates all the sprocket wheels aligned along rotating axle 9t)and by means of other chain drives 2G5, 206 and 206', this power issynchronously transmitted to other stations as will be describedhereinafter in the operation of the packaging machine.

'To insure accuracy of the stop and go movement of the web materialthrough the various stations of the packaging machine, a system ofelectric controls is utilized as shown in Figs. 19 and 20.

Fig. 19 shows the circuit of a 3-phase squirrel cage motor.

The parts of the schematic circuit of Fig. 20 are identified by the keyon the same drawing, in which the printed web 17 has a spot 287 locatedbetween each section of printed matter. Set at the proper angle ofincidence to receive the reflected light of the lamp 22 is a photo-tube208 whose current is amplified by amplifier 209, which has relay 218 isconnected to one terminal 211 of an S. P. D. T. switch 212 while theother contact of relay 210 is. connected to common terminal 213 of thecam operated switch 103 and pocket operated limit switch 85. The othercontact point of switch 85' is connected to terminal 214 of the S. P. D.T. switch 212 whose movable contact arm 2151s connected to one side ofthe line L2. The other terminal of the cam operated switch 103 isconnected through the coil of relay 216 to the other side of the lineL1. The contact points of relay 216 are placed in series with thewinding of solenoid 159 and this circuit is connected across lines L1and L2. An S. P. 'S. T. switch 217 is in' series with the phototubeamplifier across the lines L1 and L2 while another S. P. S .T. switch218 is in series with the line L2.

The heating element 124 is placed across the lines L1 and L2 and also inseries with contact points 219 of relay 220.

In addition, a thermostatic switch 126 is placed in series with thewindings of relay 220 and this circuit parallels the heater circuitacross lines L1 and L2.

The operation of the packaging machine is as follows:

A standard roll of film material 4, such as aluminum foil with athermoplastic outside coating is pulled from a roller 5. Said webmaterial 4 is fed under tension roller 8 to the top of roller 11 andthen between the upper and lower forming station 12.

Due to the synchronized controls, when the webs of material stop, cams53 contact rollers 52 of the lower half 43 of the forming station 12 andpush the lower half 53 up into close contact with the upper half 31. Atthis instant, cam 55 pushes roller 56 and its associated lever arm 57 torelease the compressed air or other fluid into the pipes 34. A volume ofcompressed air or other fluid is admitted to the space above plate 35and by reason of the sealing gasket 31' a high compressive eifort isinitiated between the metal plate 35 and the margins shafts 186 and 187.T ransversely across the machine, I of the digs thus tightly clampingthe Web At the same time, a relatively small volume of compressed airpasses through orifice 36 and impresses the web 4 down into the pocketforming space 47. Residual air which might have been trapped in thespace 47 is vented through orifices 46. In practice, a differentialpressure is maintained across the orifices 36 of the nature of 10 to l,

in order to maintain a high clamping force at the margins of the dies44. Cams 53 and 55 continue to cycle so that the air is exhaustedbackward through conduits 34 and is released to the atmosphere beforethe earns 53 have advanced far enough to open the dies by dropping thelower half 43. After the dies have opened, the web material is permittedto advance one increment, whereupon the cycle is repeated; resulting ina continuous Web having impressed therein, in lateral and lengthwiserows, commodity holding pockets 13.

At the pocket filling station 14, a slide valve 82 closes the bottoms ofthe cone-shaped openings 62 in the bottom of the hopper 6% which isfilled with powder, or other.

commodity for the package. Drum 63 rotates in the direction of the arrowshown. in Fig. 6 and picks up' powder through the slots 64 which thendischarge the powder into the openings 62 when the slots 64 arrive atthe bottom of the hopper 61). As the last slot 64 passes the opening 62,the cycling cam 66 begins to move away from the roller 75, as shown inFig. 8, and spring 89 pulls lever 67 which moves the slide valvemembers, 79, 80, 81, S2, 84 back, and thus pulls the valve 82 away fromthe bottom of the cone-shaped openings 62. At this time, the pockets 13are moving under said openings 62 and the powder begins to be dischargedinto said pockets 13. In Fig. 9, the cam 66 is down and the.

'82 until the slide valve 82 again closes the opening 62.

At the neXt station, covering web 16 and printed web 17 are passedtogether under tension roller 2% and over roller 21 to pass said webs 16and 17 by a lamp 22 and phototube 298, which record the position of theprinted matter by means of a dot 2G7, whereby when the printed web 17and cover web 16 are advanced enough that proper spacing of the pockets13 maybe efiected; then said phototube 208 will-energize the solenoid159 and halt the feed of the webs. The combined webs now pass underpaired rollers 21B and move to the sealing station where the cover web16 in contact with the pocket 13 which halts between the upper and lowerparts of said sealing station.

Now cams 129 contact rollers 12% and raise the lower movable part 118,so that its grid-like die 122 presses the web lips between pockets 13against the resilient gasket 111 of the rigid upper part 113 of thesealing station 15. At the same moment, cam 131, also contacts roller133 which moves its associated lever arm 13 against the air valverelease button 132 which permits compressed air to flow through hose 34into air chamber 114 and compressed plates and gaskets 112 and 111firmly against the lips of the pockets 13. As the cams 129 and 131continue their cycle, the compressed air is shut off and exhausted backthrough pipes 34 and the lower part of the sealing station 118 dropsdown and the sealed pocket 13 moves on to the next station which is thedriving station 135.

Here, a plurality of rubber-tired wheels 13? are retated continuously byshaft 138 and its associated sprocket wheel 136 which is driven by chain137 and sprocket wheel 176. An equal number of clutch wheels 1'52 aredisposed along shaft 152 so as to be in alignment with wheels 139. Whensolenoid 159 is energized it pulls lever which causes the clutch wheels14-2 to compress the web material against turning rubber-tired wheels139 thus moving the material forward. When the web materials have beenadvanced sufiiciently to bring the next successive row of pocketsopposite the forming station 12, the filling station 14 and the sealingstation 15, the solenoid 15 is deenergized by means of electricalcircuit components and spring 156 retracts arm 156, allowing clutchWheels 142 to withdraw from contact with the webs and thus the drivingeffort is relieved to halt the webs.

At the slitting station, are constantly turning slitting cutters 168 and169 which bisect, lengthwise, the marginal seal between pockets. Thismotion is achieved by the sprocket wheel 170 and the spur gears 173 and174.

At the neXt station, is a cam operated cut-oft" knife 188 disposedtransversely to the webs. At a rate of once per cycle this knife 188raises to bisect the sealed pocket margins. Cams 182 and 183 raise theirassociated cam rollers 184 and 185 and knife carrying rods 186 and 187,while coiled springs 192 within housings 195 tend to relieve some of theweight of the knife assembly from the cams. A snubber bar 189 isattached to the knife assembly and is activated by coiled springs 19%.hold said snubber bar 189 against the cut-off knife 188. The knife 188rises slightly beyond the snubber bar 189 which is halted by stationaryblade 196A while compression of springs 199 insures a clean cut by thecut-ofi knife 188. The cut-01f packages 13 now fall upon inclined plane27 and slide onto the conveyor belt 198 ready for packing and shipment.

The motor is started by a suitable switch while switch 218 controls thesealing heaters. S. P. B. T. switch 212 is used to switch feed controlto either the phototube amplifier set up or the pocket operated limitswitch arrangement which operates in coordination with the cam operatedswitch 103 which together activate relay 216 and the solenoid 159 tostart or stop the movement of the web material at the right moment.

S. P. S. T. switch 217, in series with the amplifier 299, is adapted todisconnect this control from the circuit when a printed web is not usedon the cover web. Then spacing control is provided by the pocketoperated limit switch 85 by throwing the movable contact 215 of S. P. D.T. switch 212 from contact 211 to 214. In addition the thermostaticswtich 126 maintains the proper temperature of the heating element 124which is located in the sealing station 15.

, ing station, drawing a pocket While, in disclosing the principles ofmy invention and its preferred embodiment, I have described variousdetailed structure and relationship, it will be understood that suchembodiment and details are given by way of example only and not aslimiting the scope of my invention.

the web materials, no limitations are implied and they may be metals ormetallic alloys, fibrous organic films, synthetic resins, textiles, andothers, or, any combination of these as laminations, with or withoutadditional coatings. In addition there may be printing, art Work, etc.,on any or all surfaces of any or all webs.

It is also understood that the marginal joining of the webs in whatevercombination is being used can be by means of thermo-plastic coatingssealed by heat or, adhesives may be applied at any time during theoperations.

I claim:

I. A packaging machine having means for forming a commodity containingpocket in a fiat web of flexible, permanently deformable materialcomprising a member having a flat surface and aperture therein, meansfor successively positioning adjacent portions of said web into positionoverlying said member, a female die, means for alternately positioningsaid die adjacent said web with one of said portions of said web lyingbetween said die and said member, with the peripheral edges of said dieforcing the peripheral edges of said portion of said web against saidmember and forming a fluid tight seal therebetween, and positioning saiddie away from said mem to a position whereby said web may be a l to thesurface of said member, and means for forcing a finial under pressurethrough said aperture against said web, said fluid pressure forcing saidportion of said web into said die permanently deform ng said portion ofsaid web.

2. A packaging machine having means for hermeti- Cally sealing togethertwo webs incorporating a sealable medium, to form a sealed package for acommodity, one of said webs having a plurality of portions thereof in aseries extending transverse of the web depressed to form pocketstherein, comprising means for supporting said web having the pocketstherein comprising a member having a flange adapted to engage said webabout the periphery of said pockets, and a member overlying said firstmentioned member, means for introducing said two webs juxtapositionbetween said two members, and means for applying fluid pressure to saidsecond mentioned member to urge it toward the first mentioned membersealing the two webs together about the periphery of said pockets.

3. Method for packaging materials from a plurality of webs of flexiblematerial and a supply of particulate material to be packaged whi..hcomprises feeding a web of packaging material in a straight line, to apocket formfrom said material by means of fluid pressure, feeding saidweb with the pockets formed therein in a straight line to a dispensingstation remote from said pocket forming station, dispensing saidmaterial to be packaged from said supply in predetermined quantity anddensity and depositing it in said drawn pockets, feeding a second web ofpackage material above said first web and positioned to overlie thedrawn and filled and applying iluid pressure to seal together said firstmentioned web about tr e marginal edges of said pocket and said secondmentioned web, porating a scalable medium.

4. Method for packaging materials fromv a plurality of webs of flexiblematerial and a sup-ply of material to be packaged which comprisesfeeding a web of pa "age material deformable beyond its elastic limit toa pocket form station, drawing a pocket from said material by meansfluid pressure and simultaneously clamping the porti 13s of said websconstituting the margin of said pocket against movement or deformation,followed by material to be packaged from said supply in predetertherebypreventing the 'modity, means for feeding a mined quantity and densityand depositing it in the pockets, feeding a second web of packagematerial above said first web so as to overlie the drawn and filledpockets and applying fluid pressure to seal togetherthe portions of saidfirst web forming the marginal edges of said pocket and adjacentportions of said second web, one of said webs incorporating a sealablemedium.

5. The method of claim 3 wherein the step of dispensing comprisestumbling and aerating said material,

tendency of the same to cake.

6. The'method of claim 3 including the step of clamping the margin ofthe first mentioned web against movement or deformation during theapplication of fiuid'pressure to form the pocket therein.

7. A packaging machine having means for forming a commodity containingpocket in a flat web of extensible permanently deformable materialcomprising a member having an aperture therein, resilient means forsupporting said member, means for moving a portion of said web intoposition overlying said member, a female die positioned adjacent saidweb with said portion of said web lying between said member and saiddie, said die having a peripheral flange extending towards said memberand means for forcing a fluid under pressure against said member, urgingsaid member towards said die and effect- 'in a fluid tight seal betweensaid member and said web, said aperture forming a passageway for saidfluid under pressure and a portion of said fluid under pressure flowingthrough said aperture and forcing said portion of said web into saiddie, permanently deforming said portion of said web.

8. A packaging machine comprising a frame, means for feeding a web offlexible, permanently deformable material along said frame, a pocketforming unit including fluid pressure means therein for pneumaticallydrawing the web material into the shape of a commodity containingpocket, a source of supply of a particulate comportion of saidparticulate commodity into said drawn pocket and means for controllingthe quantity and density of .said portion of the particulate commodity,means for feeding and positioning a second web of flexible materialabove said firstmentioned web and covering said pockets, one of said offiuid pressure first and second mentioned webs incorporating a scalablemedium, means for sealing portions of the second mentioned web materialto the portions of the first mentioned Web material which define themarginal edges of said pocket, thereby producing the filled package andmeans for severing the filled and sealed package from the moving webs,said pocket forming unit comprising upper and lower members, a crossframe adapted forfiXedly supporting said upper member, said uppermembers having a plurality of aligned apertures therein, a source forpassage through said apertures, a pocket-shaped die attached to saidlower member, and a plurality of exhaust outlets in said pocket-shapeddie, the first mentioned web material being adapted to pass between saidupper and lower members of said pocket-forming unit. a

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